Gas flow?

[edzt]

I don't know how much gas I should be using

I'm welding 1mm patches onto my mini using .8 wire at 30 amps fairly low wire speed argon/CO2

I think know when I'm not using enough 'cos the welds are slightly 'sooty' but I could be using far too much

Gauge reads LPM/CFH

Could somebody give me a ballpark flow amount?

 

[Wozzaaah]

10 lpm.

 

[edzt]

Cheers Woz.....yep I'm using too much

 

[cumbriasteve]

I think you would find 0.6 wire easier to use for car work.

 

[s410man]

if welding outside you may want to turn it up slightly to counter the effects of wind

 

[edzt]

I think you would find 0.6 wire easier to use for car work.

I was given 2 rolls of 8 when i bought the mig and I'm a tight ******

Does it make it easier?

 

[s410man]

I was given 2 rolls of 8 when i bought the mig and I'm a tight ******

Does it make it easier?

yes as the welds will be done with less power but it is possible to weld that thickness with 0.8

just takes a bit more practice

 

[PhillipM]

I was given 2 rolls of 8 when i bought the mig and I'm a tight ******

Does it make it easier?

I've got a roll of 0.6mm I've been wanting to swap for some 0.8mm, the casing is damaged but it'll feed fine...

 

[chunkolini]

Wire size?I have used both for everything, mostly fairly fine work, I find I get used to what I am using, changing wire for different jobs just seemed a way of making life complicated.
Current job is a skeleton of a chameleon made of 3mm gas welding rods with large fillets using 0.8mm wire. Very fine welds.

Started it a year ago, just picked it up again. Since taking the photo I have added fillets to all the spot welds. Should appear in projects soonish.

As edzt says "I was given 2 rolls of 8 when i bought the mig and I'm a tight ******" I would say stick with what you know.

Regards gas. If I am welding on my workbench I run mine at about 7Litres per minute, and will turn it up a bit if needed. I am lucky my workshop is draught free. Outside or on vehicles you need to find a setting on the job.
I would reccomend starting off with it about 10-12lpm, then turn it down until the welds start to get messy then turn it back up a bit. Also helps if you remember to turn the gas on when starting work. Ahem.

Chunko'.